This week: Film and television production on the Treasure Coast

In past shows, host Gary Guertin has talked about the niche tourism market of Film and Television Production and the potential for Martin County and the entire Treasure Coast. Well folks, tomorrow we will introduce you to film writer/director Brian Carroll and producer Serenity Caldwell of Lobsterback Entertainment who are actually in Martin County producing an independent film entitled Natalie, Queen of Scot's.

Why did they select Martin County as a location for their film, how long will they be shooting, and how has the Martin County CVB and the private sector assisted in the production? Learn this and more as Brian and Serenity share their excitement with the listening audience.

Co-host Robin Hicks-Connors (aka “History Lady”) will have a bit of film making trivia as relates to the film production business in Martin County. You may be surprised that this is nothing new!

Lots going on this summer whether you are taking a 'staycation,' 'boatcation' or 'carcation.' Great deals are everywhere.

How is the rest of Florida doing? Gary and Robin have collected tidbits of info from around the State they want to share.

Summer Sizzles with great deals for dockage at Harborage Yacht Club and Marina as well as a great new Summer Specials Dining Program…stretch your summer “Fun Dolla’s”.

Tune in and enjoy as Gary and Robin take to the airwaves with another edition of Talkin Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast this Friday at 10 a.m. on WPSL 1590 AM.

P.S. Here's a video journal from Lobsterback Productions detailing Natalie, Queen of Scot's. Enjoy!

July 3 Show Wrap: Review of trip to Grand Bahama; What's up with tourism in Martin County; and another 'island' connection.

Many thanks to all of the folks on Grand Bahama who contributed to the live remote broadcast of Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast! It was a great success!

Talkin' Tourism is looking forward to several more remote broadcasts over the summer with the next one hopefully being from Green Turtle Club on Green Turtle Cay, Abaco, Bahamas as show host Gary Guertin and co-host Robin Hicks-Connors chase down participants on the Bahamas Summer Boating Fling! Details to come.

Rozeta Mahboubi, the executive director of the Martin County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) provided an update on current marketing strategies and tactics being implemented during the current economic downturn. Surprisingly, Martin County and the Treasure Coast are not doing as badly as some experts had predicted. Listen to the show to learn why, about what regional markets are now being targeted, and the forecast for the upcoming Winter Season.

Ms. Lori Lachnicht, a veteran with years of experience in promoting tourism in the Bahamas and Caribbean and a new friend of Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast, shares her insights as to how the Treasure Coast is similar in many ways to an 'island destination. ' She feels the Treasure Coast can learn to operate in ways similar to the islands to overcome transportation issues and challenges.

Tune in to the show (listen or download HERE) and get an update on great activities, as well as other summer events along the Treasure Coast that you won't want to miss.

For more Talkin' Tourism, tune in to WPSL 1590 AM next Friday at 10 a.m.

July 3 Show Preview: How's Tourism in Martin County and Connecting the Dots to More Bahamian Friends

We all know that tourism is very soft in general. So, what is the Martin County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) doing to make the best out of this downturn? How are our hotels being effected? Since Bed Tax collections are down, how is this effecting the CVB’s ability to promote the destination?

This week Talkin' Tourism host Gary Guertin and co-host Robin Hicks-Connors interview Rozeta Mahboubi, the executive director of the Martin County CVB. Rozeta has been in the post for eight months. How is the bureau coping with bed-tax funding shortfalls, and what is being done to promote tourism to Martin County?

Keeping with our Bahamas and Caribbean summer theme, Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast has invited Lori Lachnicht into the studio to share her thoughts and expertise on how the Treasure Coast can best tap into this potential market. Lori has a long history in the Bahamas and Caribbean. Her past associations include: Caribbean Territory Manager for Caribbean Travel and Life Magazine (Bonnier Corporation); sales and marketing positions with The Ginn Company (Old Bahama Bay); Generation Corporation (MainStay Suites); Spice Island Tours with properties in Grenada, Dominica, St. Kitts, Barbados and the Bahamas; marketing and advertising account representative for Skin Diver Magazine and Dive Report; as well being theco-owner of USA Travel d.b.a. Bahamas Travel Network.

What is the Treasure Coast connection? Lori served as a territory account manager for Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers and Media from 2005-2007.

Turn your radio dial to WPSL 1590 A.M this Friday (July 3) at 10 a.m. to learn more, and don’t forget to thank a visitor for vacationing on the Treasure Coast.

Talkin' Tourism on Grand Bahama

What does a smooth, perfect crossing of the Gulf Stream, a classic “Gilligan’s Island” cast of characters, two radio show personalities passionate about tourism, ultimate hospitality and kindness, connecting with old friends and making new friends, and meeting “Junkanoo Man” all add up to.......another fantastic Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast remote episode!

Taking to the high seas once again, we visited the beautiful island of Grand Bahama and were greeting with true Bahamian hospitality. The Pelican Bay Hotel at Lucaya was outstanding. Are you ready for this? How about a 'special door' on the guest room door that is used to deliver complimentary pastries and sweet breads each morning! How about a bellman, who last year was the winner of the Cacique Award, the highest Hospitality Industry Award given in the Islands of the Bahamas for outstanding customer service, personally insuring that the room used for the broadcast was set up perfectly along with sweet breads, Johny Cake (thank you Marva), juice and water for the show hosts and guests!

Are you ready for this? Host Gary Guertin walks into the Pelican Bay Hotel lobby and is tapped on the shoulder for a “hello, don’t I know you” by Jesse Anderson of Port Salerno! The entire Treasure Coast Anderson family was in town for a wedding. Unbelievable!

Are you ready to meet Keith Cooper, sales and marketing director for UNEXSO (Under Sea Explorer’s Society)? Guess what? He was educated in South Florida and his “mommy” is one of the owner/operators of My Three Sisters Pot, a special events food vendor that has provided fabulous Bahamian food to events and festivals throughout the Treasure Coast and the Palm Beaches! And, if you ever need a Colin Powell look-a-like, Keith's your man!

Special thanks go out to Marva Monroe, sales and marketing director of the Pelican Bay Hotel at Lucaya for her assistance and support of this weeks show from Grand Bahama. Without her help we would have not been able to achieve a tenth of our success. Thank you Marva. Oh, by the way, Marva has family that lives in the Port St. Lucie area. The Treasure Coast and the Bahamas are truly “connected” in more ways than we know.

Want to do some serious bonefishing? Listen to the show and you will find out where to go for double-digit catches where the daily charter rate includes an “open bar." Thanks Stanley!

Last and most importantly, special thanks to Betty Bethel, Ministry of Tourism General Manager of Business Development for Grand Bahama for her appearance on the show. She shares her inside knowledge as to where St. Lucie County is with regard to the quest for a mutually beneficial relationship with the island of Grand Bahama.

You can listen or download the show HERE. Be sure to view some of the fun-filled photos of host Gary Guertin (island name: Radio Man) and co-host Robin Hicks-Connors (island name: History Lady) enroute to the Bahamas, during the live broadcast, and during other on-island adventures.

The next Bahamas Boating Fling departing from Harborage Yacht Club & Marina is scheduled July 15-26. This trip is an extended trip encompassing the Abacos and Grand Bahama. For more details, visit www.bahamas.com/boating or http://www.flahama.com/.

Will Radio Man and History Lady be on that trip? Tune in to the show this coming Friday to find out!

Forgive the audio and low quality video (captured on a small point & click digital camera), but meet one of the many colorful and fun characters we encountered on Grand Bahama: